Direction of parade has significance

11:05 AM,
Jul. 23, 2014

Changing the direction of the Liberation Day Parade shows disrespect to the meaning of that day -- to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the reoccupation of this island and to remind us how Marine Corps Drive got its name. Pacific Daily News file photo

Written by

Joaquin P. Perez

Now that the 70th celebration of July 21, 1944, is history, it would be good to remind those responsible that the change in direction of the parade disregards the significance of the south-to-north movement of the liberators and shows disrespect to the meaning of that day -- to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the reoccupation of this island and to remind us how Marine Corps Drive got its name.

On Dec. 10, 1941, Japanese forces landed on the shores of Alupang Cove, Dungca's Beach and Ypao and moved south towards Hagåtña. No opposition was encountered, yet they ...